Questions & Answers
Browse all 20 questions from the
Foundations of Addiction Science study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the brain's reward system and the reinforcement of addictive behaviors?
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A
Serotonin
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B
Dopamine
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C
Acetylcholine
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D
GABA
2
What is the term for the process where a person needs more of a substance to achieve the same effect previously produced by a smaller amount?
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A
Withdrawal
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B
Tolerance
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C
Craving
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D
Relapse
3
Which brain region is heavily involved in decision-making and impulse control, and is often impacted by long-term substance use?
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A
Prefrontal cortex
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B
Cerebellum
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C
Brain stem
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D
Occipital lobe
4
What does the term 'dependence' refer to in the context of addiction science?
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A
Only the presence of physical symptoms
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B
The inability to stop using a substance
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C
A state where the body has adapted to a substance's presence
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D
The social desire to use a drug
5
Which of the following is considered a primary 'reward' pathway in the brain?
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A
Mesolimbic pathway
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B
Visual cortex pathway
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C
Spinal cord pathway
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D
Auditory pathway
6
What happens during the 'withdrawal' phase of addiction?
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A
The brain increases dopamine production
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B
Physical and mental symptoms occur upon cessation of use
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C
The person feels no desire for the substance
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D
Tolerance levels reach their peak
7
Which organ is the primary site for the metabolism of most consumed substances?
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A
Heart
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B
Lungs
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C
Liver
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D
Kidneys
8
Chronic exposure to addictive substances can lead to changes in the strength of connections between neurons. What is this process called?
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A
Neuroplasticity
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B
Cellular atrophy
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C
Myelination
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D
Synaptic pruning
9
What is the primary function of the 'ventral tegmental area' (VTA) in the brain?
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A
Regulating body temperature
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B
Processing memories
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C
Producing dopamine for the reward system
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D
Controlling motor coordination
10
In addiction science, what does 'craving' refer to?
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A
The physical pain of withdrawal
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B
An intense, urgent desire for the substance
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C
The act of consuming a substance
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D
A lack of knowledge about drug effects
11
Which neurotransmitter system is typically inhibited by alcohol consumption?
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A
Glutamate
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B
Dopamine
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C
Serotonin
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D
Norepinephrine
12
What does the 'incentive salience' theory suggest about addiction?
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A
Drugs become less rewarding over time
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B
Addiction is purely a social choice
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C
Cues associated with a drug trigger intense motivation to use
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D
Addiction is unrelated to the brain's reward system
13
What is the main role of the 'nucleus accumbens' in addiction?
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A
It acts as a pleasure and reinforcement center
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B
It controls muscle movement
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C
It stores long-term memories
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D
It regulates breathing
14
Why is the 'amygdala' involved in addiction?
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A
It processes emotions and stress responses
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B
It controls heartbeat
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C
It is responsible for color vision
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D
It manages body fat
15
What is a 'cue' in the context of addiction?
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A
A medication used to stop use
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B
A stimulus that triggers a memory or desire for the substance
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C
A physical symptom of withdrawal
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D
The social stigma surrounding addiction
16
Which of the following describes the 'allostatic' state in addiction?
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A
Achieving a new, stable baseline due to chronic substance use
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B
Returning to perfect health immediately
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C
A short-term change that does not affect biology
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D
The elimination of all drug memories
17
What is 'homeostasis' in biological terms as it relates to addiction?
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A
The brain's effort to maintain internal balance
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B
The process of increasing drug dosage
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C
The genetic predisposition to addiction
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D
The chemical composition of a drug
18
How do addictive substances typically affect synaptic transmission?
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A
By blocking the brain from receiving oxygen
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B
By altering the release or reuptake of neurotransmitters
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C
By physically destroying neurons
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D
By preventing blood from reaching the brain
19
What characterizes 'compulsive' drug seeking in addiction?
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A
Intentional, infrequent use
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B
Use despite negative consequences
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C
A logical choice to use a drug
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D
Use only in social settings
20
Which term describes the genetic influence on an individual's susceptibility to addiction?
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A
Heritability
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B
Environmental acquisition
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C
Random chance
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D
Learned behavior
